Egyptian Tarot by Lo Scarabeo
by Menna-Allah Amr Mohamed 20060774
Many are aware of the existence of customs and traditions that exist in Egyptian society, but not everyone is aware of their causes and the resulting damage. The most famous example of this is the Tarot cards. So, for that today, we are having an interview with Ms. Shaimaa Khalil, Qur’an teacher that holds a master’s degree in Islamic studies specializing in Qur’anic sciences and some Qur’anic sciences in doctrine, jurisprudence and Sunnah. She is the owner of (Itqan) platform for teaching the Holy Qur’an and its sciences. She is with us today to discuss about Tarot reading from the religious side. Also, in this meeting with us is the Researcher Asmaa Ahmed in Sociology and Human Phenomena to discuss more of these habits specific to points about Tarot reading and their consequences for humans from a social aspect.
Q1: Since Tarot is one of the thorny topics in religion and sayings differ about it, explain to us about what is Tarot meaning? (Mrs. Shaimaa Khalil)
A1: In the beginning, the Tarot thing has a great religious aspect. The word is very old, dating back to ancient times and has a history. Now it is spread among the youth in a different way.
-It is a game consisting of a set of cards, these cards contain symbols and pictures, each phrase card has a meaning or purpose that is used to indicate what will happen to you in the future.
-It has a reader or leader of these cards, who directs the person who plays with some sentences that means this is her/his luck or destiny. Unfortunately, most young people nowadays use it as a means of entertainment, but in reality, this is much more than entertainment because this path leads to polytheism. Simply, that person runs after illusions and forgets that Allah exists and only Allah knows the unseen.
Q2: So it has a history, what is its origin, and what does the word itself mean? (Mrs. Shaimaa Khalil)
A2: Although it has a history, many differed from it that the origin is unknown, but there is common information, which is that its Pharaonic origin for the Hieroglyphic language consists of two syllables (Ta) and (Ro), this means the royal road. There is also that it came opposite the letters of the word (Torah).
Q3: From where did the Tarot start? (Mrs. Asmaa Ahmed)
A3: The first documented appearance of that cards were recorded between 1440 and 1450 in Italy then France then to all over Europe. Due to this spread, the church prevented people from playing this game because, it was against the nature of their beliefs.
Q4: With the diversity and transmission through times and places, does the Tarot have other terms? (Mrs. Asmaa Ahmed)
A4: Of course, it has other terms such as Horoscope, but note that it is not a requirement that it would be the same word, rather it may be the same idea. This idea revolves around the form of cup reading, palm reading, and others.
Q5: You said the Horoscope, and this word is used a lot in Astronomy. Do you think there is a relationship between Tarot and Astronomy? (Mrs. Asmaa Ahmed)
A5: What I mean by the word Horoscope here is not its meaning in astronomy directly, its meaning is here related to Zodiac signs. People who read Tarot always relate a person’s condition to their Zodiac sign. The relationship between them is interdependent, or in a more correct sense, it all under one umbrella.
Q6: From your professional experience, what is the Islamic advisory opinion about Tarot? (Mrs. Shaimaa Khalil)
A6: One word. It is absolutely anti-sharia means strictly forbidden.
-In the Almighty say: None in the heavens or on earth, except Allah, knows what is hidden: nor can they perceive when they shall be raised up (for Judgment). In Surah Al-Naml [27:65]
-Also, Say (O Muhammed), “I have no power to benefit myself, or harm myself. Only what God wills happen to me. If I KNEW THE FUTURE, I would have increased my wealth, and no harm would have afflicted me. I am no more than a warner, and a bearer of good news for those who believe.”. In Surah Al-A’raf [7:188]
-Another evidence on the authority of the Prophet, peace be upon him, he said: Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and asks him about something and believes him, his prayers will not be accepted for forty days. On the authority of Abu Hurairah, may God be pleased with him, on the authority of the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, he said: Whoever goes to a soothsayer and believes what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace. Narrated by Abu Dawood.
-That all means literally no one knows the unseen but Allah. So, what the Tarot readers are doing is legally Islamically forbidden.
Q7: From your point of view, what are the reasons for the tendency and interest of young people in Tarot? (Mrs. Asmaa Ahmed)
A7: I will boil this down to three points.
-Firstly, from a social point of view and in a religious context as well, this is a kind of misleading. Young people desire anything under the name of science. Unfortunately, this type is under the umbrella of what is called science, such as Hypnosis, Partial Meditation, Nirvana, and others.
-Secondly, this happened under the name of spirituality, which many believe that helps mental health. This is not true, on the contrary, it leads to hallucinations, which leads to suicide. -Thirdly, and very simply, it is the fun and adventurous spirit that fills the hearts of young people.
Q8: The bottom line of this whole thing is, why should we avoid this kind of thing? (Mrs. Shaimaa Khalil)
A8: In certain points:
-The Islamic religion forbids the complete prohibition of these games, even if only for fun.
-When a person drifts behind these illusions and believes them but it fails, he blames Allah for this, simply because he is a failed person.
-It causes a lot of psychological damage because it is a trap for people with weak souls.
-It means that he is a failed person who attaches his hopes and dreams to illusions, and this causes him to despair maybe suicide.
Behinders 
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